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This base plate keeps the front of your vehicle looking clean when you’re not towing. The brackets sit farther back than standard mounts, so once the drawbars are removed, the remaining brackets are virtually invisible within the grille. There’s no quick-disconnect crossbar to clutter the look or get in the way, so you keep a factory-style appearance and clear access to the front end.
Connecting and disconnecting is simple—just insert each arm into the bracket, twist to lock, and it clicks into place. To unhook, pull the built-in ring to release, twist back, and slide the arm out. The positive-locking design makes for a solid connection you can feel good about every time you tow. It’s a quick, no-fuss setup that doesn’t need an extra crossbar or adapters.
The base plate mounts directly to the frame with computer-cut, all-steel brackets for precise alignment and exceptional strength. The black powder coat finish resists corrosion and keeps things looking sharp after years of use. Reviewers highlight how solid the welds and finish are—confidence that pays off when you’re logging long towing miles.
Everything needed for mounting comes in the kit—hardware and instructions included. The design bolts right to the vehicle’s frame with no welding required, making it a straightforward install for anyone comfortable turning wrenches. Clear instructions and helpful videos make it easier to tackle at home without guesswork or extra fabrication.
This Direct-Connect kit is built specifically for Roadmaster motor-home-mounted tow bars like the Nighthawk, Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon, or Falcon 2 that slide into a trailer hitch. Because it eliminates the quick-disconnect crossbar altogether, connecting your Roadmaster tow bar is cleaner and faster while keeping everything tight and aligned for reliable towing.
Roadmaster direct-connect base plates will only work with Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch, such as the Nighthawk, Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon, or Falcon 2. These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
98% were satisfied with this product
2% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
I buy a trailer hitch and a tow hitch for my new car 2014 cr-v and got these items on time and install went great this is the 3rd. car I did buying anything from etrailer and will again.
Great Baseplate. The instructions were step by step and very easy to follow.
Drilling the holes was the hardest part and you need a good drill.
I recommend this baseplate. Very well hidden when not in use.
A little bit of artwork needed to get schrouds cut and fitted around the base plate. Works perfectly. Wish there was a way to lock the towing pins in when not on the tow bar as I always fear that someone will get cute and steal one. Result is I always take the pins out and have them bouncing around in the car.
The Roadmaster Direct-Connect base plate kit for our 2014 Honda CRV came complete as advertised. It had very good instructions, and I was able to install it myself. It has worked as expected, and we are pleased with the product.
Quality products, GREAT INSTRUCTIONS! The video on YouTube helped very much when installing the Road Master base plate on our 2013 Honda CR-V. Tips: The front fog lights can be disconnected much easier after the front bumber fascia is released and tilted forward... same when reinstalling. Also, the bottom clips on the front grill release very easy with the help of a small, curved push tool... I used a curved needle nose plier. Simply apply gentle pressure from the bottom of the opening, right below the clips, into the notches provided for this effort.
Etailer had the exact match for my car, including an online video of how to install it. Installation was straight forward with all the holes matching perfectly. The only upgrade I have to the installation instructions is to purchase replacement plastic push pins, that hold the fenders and mudguards in place, ahead of time. The ones on my car became damaged on removal and couldn't be reused.
The hitch was delivered on time and in good condition. I did not install the baseplate myself. I took it to a local shop for installation. They were able to install it within a few hours. Would have taken me probably a couple of days. The base plate went on with no issues. The base plate did not connect to my hitch as thought. etrailer techs are working with me to resolve that issue. I may need to change the ends on the hitch bar to work with the new base plate. This is my second purchase from etrailer, and I would order from them again. Great customer service, good follow up, knowledgable technicians and good prices. As soon as we can resolve my connection issue, the motorhome and the Honda crv will be rolling down our highways once again.
Thanks etrailer.
I installed this Roadmaster Base Plate on our 2013 Honda CRV in the sprint of 2021. We then went on trip from Ohio to Montana and from Ohio to Florida. On both trips our Class C Sunseeker 2860DS handled the load without a problem. The team at etrailer and the installation videos were very helpful during the install.
Bought for installation on 2014 Honda CR-V toad. Seems to be plenty sturdy and well made. Installation was fairly easy using the included instructions and etrailer's video. Is pretty unobtrusive once installed. Very easy to install and remove the removable arms. Haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. Roadmaster could do a better job of packaging, parts of it were sticking through the box and I had to straighten the wiring harness mount.
I did this installation for my mother- and father-in-law.
The base plate is VERY heavy duty. It is welded very well and painted adequately. Being shipped in a cardboard box with little packaging, it arrived with paint worn off the little electrical connector mount tubes and other places.
The fit was good except for that the top portions of the mounting plates (each end where the base plate is bolted to the car frame), that are bent horizontal for the top-most bolts, are not bent completely to a 90-degree angle--I had to wail on them with a mini-sledge to bend them over enough to be able to get the top bolts into the weld nuts on the car frame.
Also, the instructions are vague or lacking in a number of ways. The instructions called out fasteners as "Phillips screw," "10mm (head) bolt" and "plastic fastener." Since I needed to gather tools to take with me for the 12.5 mile trip to my in-laws' place, I had to guess what the "plastic fasteners" were. I found out that the "plastic fasteners" were push rivets-- they are easiest to remove using two straight-blade screwdrivers. And step 7 of the instructions sets up a person to ruin some very expensive parts. Step 7 says to pull hard and straight out to release the grill from the two yellow clips near the headlights (which was OK) and the four yellow clips along the bottom of the grill (which was not OK). Those four yellow clips at the bottom of the grill each have four little retainer legs that clip into all four edges of the holes into which they clip. Instructions for other manufacturers products explain how to carefully unfasten those clips so as not to break anything. But the Roadmaster instructions say to just pull real hard. I found that those four lower clips don't have to be released (the grill does not need to be removed from the fascia) in order to release the two yellow clips shown in Figure M of the instructions--the installer need only pull back on each end of the grill, while it is still fastened to the the fascia by the four lower yellow clips, to be able to insert a flat-blade screwdriver between parts and release those yellow clips--the whole fascia and grill lifts off the vehicle at that point. In between the instructions for pulling the grill off and releasing the two yellow clips in Figure M is an instruction saying to "pull out on corner of the fascia to remove it from the locking strip as indicated by the yellow lines in Figure L..." What is not said in the instructions is that below those yellow lines shown in Figure L are seams between the ends of the fascia and the front fenders. Those seams contain snap-and-hook features molded into the plastic parts which, if just yanked apart, will break (I know this because I broke them on one side). The snap-and-hook features can be released by carefully pulling the fascia away from the fender, to expose the features, and then using a straight blade screwdriver to push each of the three hooks out of their mating snaps--nothing gets broken (I know this because I did it successfully).
Other then those things, the installation was pretty straight-forward.
I don't know how well the product works because I only did the installation yesterday and my in-laws won't try using it until next week.
Sure makes hooking up the TOAD a lot easier! Note this is my second Roadmaster tow
kit. The first one was a bit different and was installed on my Ford Cmax
I installed this RM-521567-5 baseplate myself on our 2013 Honda CR-V by watching the demo video. No issues came up during the installation. We towed our vehicle behind our motorhome from Minnesota to Florida for the winter and did not have any problems. I am very happy with this product.
John B.
6/14/2021
This baseplate is still working out great. We will be going on our 3rd Florida trip this fall using the baseplate. Very happy with it!
I really like the way the couplers that connect to the towbard are removable and easily stowed.
Great improvement over the old bar.
Installation took me all day but the instructions were clear; the biggest problem I had was putting the pieces of the fender back together. I highly recommend (for a Honda CR-V at least) you get the plastic fender parts since the ones you will take out break.
No complaints about the tow bar; worked great.
Jim T.
9/18/2020
Still working great!
The product was what I expected and the instructions both written and on-line are easy to follow. My only beef is the way it was packaged, one foam fitting pad on each end, the tow bar pins were loose and caused considerable dings and scratches on the base plate during shipping but some black spray paint made quick work of that. My suggestion would be to ship the item with more foam fit pads and wrap and secure the tow bar pins with zip ties or something.
Paul M.
8/9/2018
No problems yet, the installation was easy and they went on without any modifications.
This base plate was as described and relatively easy to install. I watched the installation video several times as I was concerned taking the bumper cover and grill off the CR-V. I also watched to installation video for the Blue Ox base plate as it was slightly different and showed taking the off as one piece instead of two. The process was a bit tricky and I did break one clip on the drivers side. Other than snapping my 1/2" drill bit while drilling the hole, the installation was relatively easy and as portrayed in the installation video. I also purchase two metric bolts as my vehicle had neither on the bottom of the bumper cover.
Richard
10/24/2018
Working great. I have had no problems over the year.
Easy to install with many videos online. Looks great, you need to look closely to even see it.
Installed on a 2014 Honda CRV
Gwendolyn Y.
4/1/2025
Sounds very inconspicuous :)
Korren C was great to work with. She set me up with the baseplate that I needed an it fit perfectly. Even sent a video of how to install. Thanks so much.
Just took the maiden voyage with the new Motorhome and the new Tow Car or ( Toad ). After getting everything set up and installed on the coach and the dingy towing was a breeze. Hardly even noticed that i was towing a car behind me. Bought all RoadMaster equipment and purchased everything from etrailer, baseplate and towbar with the invisibrake system and all the necessary cables. Etrailer was Awesome they made sure that I had everything needed and that everything fit my vehicle.
Michael
1/21/2025
Well after a full year I can honestly say that the Roadmaster Tow Bar Baseplate installed on my 2014 Honda CRV is still working like a champ, the only change is that we upgraded our Motorhome from a Class C to a 35’ Class A Fleetwood Fortis.
2014 Honda CR-V - Excellent product that installs cleanly with almost no visual evidence it is there. The etrailer video is very helpful. I can almost guarantee some of those little plastic clips holding the entire front of the car together will be destroyed upon removal. I had purchased some spares from Amazon and was ready!
I received this tow bar adapter plate in a few days even with the winter storms across the nation. The fit up was great! I had an Auto body friend help me with the install. Installed in approximately an hour. I talked to several etrailer reps before ordering. They were very helpful ! etrailer is the best! Thank you!
Fast shipping. Large heavy part packaged well.
Easy to install!!! Found multiple videos for my car. Next car I need tow kits for will definitely be ordering from here!!!
Talking to Ashley was a pleasure. She was very knowledgeable and could answer my questions easily. I’ll be installing the base plate this week. As an add bonus the installation video from etrailer is very well done and easy to follow
Put this on a 2014 Honda CR-V. This is a very well made base plate setup! The overall design, welds and powder coating are outstanding! Shipping was super fast too! The install video by etrailer was close to perfect and really helped to take the "scary" out of doing the job. The only change I would like to see in the video is during the grill removal. He says to just yank it forward to get the clips to release. Unfortunately, most of the specialized clips broke doing it this way. Had I known, I would have slipped a thin tool just below the grill to get the clips to unlock/release. Also, on the wrap around, bumper cover, some of the tabs on the bumper cover ripped out and I had to do some creative plastic welding or fiberglass resin/cloth to repair. These clips have a release tab also. I suggest finding specific videos on youtube to remove the plastic body parts and grill. I got it all done and it works perfectly! I really love the almost invisible tow receivers on the car (when the arms are removed). Our last toad was a 1997 Nissan Hardbody pickup that has permanent knee busting/shin smashing protrusions. I am super happy with everything we have bought from etrailer over the past 18 years!
Gwendolyn Y.
2/14/2025
Wow Bill! 18 years is a long time. I'm glad that you've stuck with us all this time. The install looks great and it sounds like your knees and shins will live a better life with this set up.
Easy to install needed to replace some fasteners as they broke removing front grill was able to get them from Amazon cheap
Gwendolyn Y.
2/26/2026
Looks great, Mark! Where are you off to next?
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Lutz M.
5/9/2021
Still works as advertised. Great product.